Traumatic dural venous sinus gas predicts a higher likelihood of dural venous sinus thrombosis following blunt head trauma

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in traumatic brain injury: A systematic review of its complications, effect on mortality, diagnostic and therapeutic management, and follow-up

Objective

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is increasingly being recognized in the setting of traumatic brain injury (TBI), but its effect on TBI patients and its management remains uncertain. Here, we systematically review the currently available evidence on the complications, effect on mortality and the diagnostic and therapeutic management and follow-up of CVST in the setting of TBI.

Methods

Key clinical questions were posed and used to define the scope of the review within the following topics of complications; effect on mortality; diagnostics; therapeutics; recanalization and follow-up of CVST in TBI. We searched relevant databases using a structured search strategy. We screened identified records according to eligibility criteria and for information regarding the posed key clinical questions within the defined topics of the review.

Results

From 679 identified records, 21 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included, all of which were observational in nature. Data was deemed insufficiently homogenous to perform meta-analysis and was narratively synthesized. Reported rates of venous infarctions ranged between 7 and 38%. One large registry study reported increased in-hospital mortality in CVSP and TBI compared to a control group with TBI alone in adjusted analyses. Another two studies found midline CVST to be associated with increased risk of mortality in adjusted analyses. Direct data to inform the optimum diagnostic and therapeutic management of the condition was limited, but some data on the safety, and effect of anticoagulation treatment of CVST in TBI was identified. Systematic data on recanalization rates to guide follow-up was also limited, and reported complete recanalization rates ranged between 41 and 86%. In the context of the identified data, we discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic management and follow-up of the condition.

Conclusion

Currently, the available evidence is insufficient for evidence-based treatment of CVST in the setting of TBI. However, there are clear indications in the presently available literature that CVST in TBI is associated with complications and increased mortality, and this indicates that management options for the condition must be considered. Further studies are needed to confirm the effects of CVST on TBI patients and to provide evidence to support management decisions.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: PROSPERO [CRD42021247833].

Cerebral venous thrombosis with a catch

Background:

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare entity typically occurring in patients in hypercoagulable states. They can also occur in cases of trauma. The symptoms are nonspecific.

Case Description:

A 28-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a head injury. During the necessary imaging, it was found that he had a depressed skull fracture and other signs of traumatic brain injury. Unbeknownst to the patient and the patient party, it was also revealed that the patient only had one kidney. Wound debridement and excision of the depressed fracture were performed. A postoperative MRI revealed that the patient had CVT.

Conclusion:

There should be a high index of suspicion for CVT in case of traumatic head injuries. The surgeon should plan management according to the patient’s comorbidities.

Brainstem Venous Infarction from Thrombosis on the Jugular Bulb as a Serious Complication of Blunt Head Trauma Injury: A Case Report

The incidence of dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST) and the cerebral venous infarct have not exactly known, but DVST is closely related to the skull fracture around the venous sinus. A 56-year-old man experienced massive watery discharge after hitting on his face by a falling machine. He was alert and no cerebrospinal fluid discharge on admission. Air-density was shown on the jugular fossa in the brain computed tomography. On the 3th day of trauma, he suddenly had dyspnea and loss of consciousness and became comatose. Acute edema on medulla, pons and right cerebellar hemisphere and focal infarct on right medulla were visualized on the brain magnetic resonance imaging. And the sigmoid sinus and the jugular vein were occluded and venous circulation on the right posterior fossa was diminished on the cerebral angiography. Air-density on the sinus may be an indicator into developing venous thrombosis and brainstem venous infarct could be followed by the DVST round the jugular bulb.

Combination of Gas and Increasing Density in the Dural Venous Sinus After Blunt Head Trauma Contributes to Early Diagnosis of Dural Venous Sinus Thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Dural venous sinus thrombosis (DVST) after blunt head trauma is not rare; however, its clinical manifestations are vague, which impedes early diagnosis that is vital for its management. Prior studies have demonstrated that the presence of gas in the dural venous sinus (DVS) after blunt head trauma increases the likelihood of DVST. On nonenhanced computed tomography (CT), hyperdensity in the DVS is considered a direct sign of thrombosis, which can enable early diagnosis of traumatic DVST with high specificity but low sensitivity. We describe a case of traumatic DVST, which was diagnosed early based on the findings of gas and increasing density in the DVS on regular nonenhanced CT.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 41-year-old man was admitted to our hospital after he landed on his head in a car accident. The initial CT (each slice 5.0 mm thick), taken 40 minutes after the injury, indicated right occipital skull fracture and gas in the right sigmoid sinus. Next, 16 hours after the injury, the patient underwent another head CT (each slice 1.25 mm thick). The image showed increasing density (>65 Hounsfield units) in the right sigmoid sinus and the area of intrasinus gas, which is an indication of traumatic DVST, and the bone window revealed right occipital skull fracture that extended to the right sigmoid sinus. Anticoagulant therapy was immediately started after subsequent computed tomographic venography confirmed nonocclusive venous thrombi in the right transverse sinus, the right sigmoid sinus, and the right internal jugular vein on the level of the second cervical vertebra. Three weeks after the injury, computed tomographic venography re-examination showed that the thrombi had resolved dramatically.

CONCLUSIONS

Traumatic DVST was diagnosed early through findings of gas and increasing density in DVS on different nonenhanced CTs. Finding this combination is a practical, sensitive method for early diagnosis of traumatic DVST, especially in patients with hidden skull fractures involving DVS and patients with hypocythemia.